JoeMerchant
ASA pilot
- Joined
- Mar 31, 2005
- Posts
- 6,353
BluDevAv8r said:Well there is technically only going to be 1 "industry leading" contract. That said, I will use Air Wisconsin and American Eagle as an example. AWAC has a great contract and they just got a nice bump in rates due to their industry metric system. Their rules are second to none and actually include a real rig system. American Eagle has some of the highest costs in the industry due to their pilot group longevity yet they still are growing. Lastly, XJT hasn't furloughed anyone nor do I expect them to...nor has XJT's management approached its pilots for any form of concessions. Heck, I see an aircraft order on the horizon perhaps.
-Neal
OK, let's start with your three examples, then proceed to other industry leading contracts.
1. Air Wisconscin: Yes, one of the best, however they did lose their United contract and they did take concessions.
2. American Eagle: Not industry leading, and in reality a Bob Christy ALPA 16 year deal that hardly moved the standard forward. Cost structure is high because of the longevity, not because of an industry leading contract. In addition, they have lost flying to CHQ and TSA.
3. XJT: Lost flying from CAL at the end of the exclusivity contract. You are keeping the airplanes, but are losing CAL flying and it is being put out for bid.
Now here are some industry leading contracts and portfolio leaders that you didn't mention:
1. ALG/PDT: By far the best contracts in the regional industry. Actually had A plan retirements and top notch work rules. The new ALG/PDT is half the size of what they once were and the RJ flying went to other cheaper union carriers.
2. ACA: Another excellent contract. Stood up to Uniteds new fees and went on their own - shut down.
3. CCAir: Very good contract - Mesa purchased them, tried to get the costs in line, pilots agreed, DW refused to sign - shut down.
4. CMR: Excellent contract, struck for 89 days while flying was shifted to other ALPA carriers - now they are being shrunk, hit up for concessions, and unfortunately may be shrunk further if not sold off piece by piece.
5. Mesaba: Best contract in the NWA Airlink system. Now they are on the verge of extinction as the NWA mainline pilots have agreed to 78 seat rates less than their AVRO rates in order to "recapture" the flying.